UMM AL QUWAIN // Residents will be able to work out in the fresh air at a soon-to-be-built outdoor gym on the emirate’s corniche.
Developed by Al Bayt Mutawahid (ABM) society, the corniche gym will be close to a walkway that runs along the popular beauty spot. It is hoped that it will help to boost tourism as well as improving the health of residents.
“We made this walkway last year and we heard really good things from people so we wanted to give more by making an outdoor gym,” said Hind Balfaqeh, senior analyst at ABM, adding that two schools will also get new gyms as part of the project.
“We found that the percentage of obesity is increasing in all the emirates and that is why we decided to do this in UAQ because of the lack of facilities that help people to be healthy. They need support, so we chose to support them by building an outdoor gym here.”
Ms Balfaqeh said by the end of this month work will begin on the gym that will have 10 exercise machines, including bicycles and weights.
“Everything is available, we are just waiting for the machines to arrive and it will be completed in April,” she said.
Residents who were at the beach enjoying the cool winter weather said they were looking forward to using the new gym and welcomed any plan that helps people take up sports, work out and improve their health.
Fatin Ibrahim, an Egyptian teacher in UAQ, said she regularly visits the beach to play sports and always encouraged her students to be more active.
“We always like to participate in initiatives of health and fitness to have a healthy body and life,” the 45-year-old said. “We also motivate our students to come.”
Emirati Ali Sultan, 35, said it was important his five children regularly take part in sports and not spend their time playing video games.
“I let all my kids play because sport is good for their health and I always encourage them to practice, but new technology is taking their free time.”
roueiti@thenational.ae